School leaders skeptical about statewide survey
Updated: March 6, 2013
CENTRAL ILLINOIS -- School leaders are choosing not to take part in a statewide survey. About 20 have opted out of the 5Essentials Survey.
It's supposed to help schools improve by getting feedback from teachers, students and parents. A state law requires the state to administer it but it's not required for schools to answer. Superintendents against the survey say it's not because the don't want the feedback, they just think the timing stinks.
It's supposed to help schools improve by getting feedback from teachers, students and parents. A state law requires the state to administer it but it's not required for schools to answer. Superintendents against the survey say it's not because the don't want the feedback, they just think the timing stinks.
"We cut just short of $1 million. We cut all transportation to athletic events, we cut art, ed K-4, the art teacher," said Rich Well, superintendent of Vandalia School District.
"We have systematically been reducing. We're looking at about a quarter million dollars worth of cuts this coming year," said Dr. David Lett, superintendent of Pana School District.
It's a similar story to schools across the state. Some are cutting teachers while others cut sports.
"Our board feels like they know how parents are going to feel about it. They feel discouraged, they feel like their kids are losing options," said Well.
"We think, unfortunately, it creates a negative aura over any district when you are reducing people's positions, reducing resources to the classroom," said Lett.
That's why superintendents question the 5Essentials Survey. Dr. Lett was the first to draft a resolution against it. Besides bad timing, he also questions its validity.
"We saw a lot of invalid information and data coming back early," he said.
The State Board of Education say that's not the case.
"This is a survey that has been tested for 20-years now and a very small percentage of responses are thrown out because... they're not seen as valid," said Mary Fergus, spokesperson for BOE.
For Mr. Well, his biggest concern is money.
"The fact that the state is spending money in areas instead of sending us general state aid is really the point we're trying to push across," says Well.
"We think, unfortunately, it creates a negative aura over any district when you are reducing people's positions, reducing resources to the classroom," said Lett.
That's why superintendents question the 5Essentials Survey. Dr. Lett was the first to draft a resolution against it. Besides bad timing, he also questions its validity.
"We saw a lot of invalid information and data coming back early," he said.
The State Board of Education say that's not the case.
"This is a survey that has been tested for 20-years now and a very small percentage of responses are thrown out because... they're not seen as valid," said Mary Fergus, spokesperson for BOE.
For Mr. Well, his biggest concern is money.
"The fact that the state is spending money in areas instead of sending us general state aid is really the point we're trying to push across," says Well.
The 5Essentials survey cost the state more than $500,000, but Fergus says that money was never meant for general state aid.
"This is covered through federal Race to the Top Funds," said Fergus.
"Those monies can be used better, in other ways," said Well.
It's not a feeling shared by every district.
"This is covered through federal Race to the Top Funds," said Fergus.
"Those monies can be used better, in other ways," said Well.
It's not a feeling shared by every district.
"We've been doing it with all of our schools as well as monitoring our completion rates at each school. I welcome that type of feedback. That's going to be great," said Dr. Judy Wiegand, superintendent of Champaign schools.
Wiegand says she's excited about the survey.
"Improvement in our schools is continuous and one piece of information that we always need to have is input from our parents, from our teachers and our students. It's just going to continue to help us grow as a school district," said Wiegand.
But Wiegand understands why others may not be as enthusiastic.
"They are dealing with some difficult issues right now... having to put out a survey like this and get input, it's certainly going to be, I don't want to say tainted, but certainly it's going to be on their minds," said Wiegand.
"We certainly understand that districts are in dire straits, they're under a lot of pressure right now. At this same time, this is a survey that is required by law," said Fergus.
Required or not, Pana and Vandalia schools won't be a part.
"We believe that our resources could be better spent else where," said Lett.
"Our board was more concerned with making sure that we spend our time wisely, working on the cuts and making sure that we.. got the most of our dollar," said Well.
Wiegand says she's excited about the survey.
"Improvement in our schools is continuous and one piece of information that we always need to have is input from our parents, from our teachers and our students. It's just going to continue to help us grow as a school district," said Wiegand.
But Wiegand understands why others may not be as enthusiastic.
"They are dealing with some difficult issues right now... having to put out a survey like this and get input, it's certainly going to be, I don't want to say tainted, but certainly it's going to be on their minds," said Wiegand.
"We certainly understand that districts are in dire straits, they're under a lot of pressure right now. At this same time, this is a survey that is required by law," said Fergus.
Required or not, Pana and Vandalia schools won't be a part.
"We believe that our resources could be better spent else where," said Lett.
"Our board was more concerned with making sure that we spend our time wisely, working on the cuts and making sure that we.. got the most of our dollar," said Well.
The survey is being administered until the end of March. So far, more than 50% of teachers and about 30% of students have finished it. The state needs a 50% response to generate a report.
Results will be included in this year's state report card. Schools which don't participate, like Pana and Vandalia, just won't get a report.
Results will be included in this year's state report card. Schools which don't participate, like Pana and Vandalia, just won't get a report.
